Science & Business Parks

Since the first Science Parks were established in the UK at Heriot Watt and Cambridge, their role in encouraging the commercialisation of research from the academic base and facilitating the development of hi-tech clusters has been widely recognised, leading to significant growth in the number of science parks around the world.

BiGGAR Economics has undertaken a large number of feasibility studies, business plans, economic appraisals and evaluations of science park developments, including reviews of international best practice in science park development and management.

PROJECTS

appraisal of Anglia Ruskin University’s proposed Chelmsford Innovation Centre, focusing on the development of the cleantech cluster in the East of England;

appraisal of the Future Business Enterprise Hub in Cambridge, which is focused on the social economy and the environmental sector and is part funded by an innovative Charitable Bonds model;

economic impact assessment of the Moredun Group, including Pentlands Science Park, a key facility for companies in the Scottish life sciences cluster;

economic and financial appraisal of proposals to expand the site of BioQuarter (the major life sciences cluster being developed in Edinburgh) to allow for future expansion of commercial, health and academic space;

economic impact assessment of the development Nova Technology Park in Glasgow, for Scottish Enterprise;

economic impact assessment and financial analysis of potential options for the future delivery of Aberdeen Science Parks (Aberdeen Science and Energy Park and Aberdeen Science and Technology Park), including a joint venture with a private developer;

feasibility assessment for Milton Keynes Partnership of a proposed Technopole for Milton Keynes located next to the Open University – science park accommodation with business support and wider services serving the technology businesses across the wider area;

business plan for Suffolk Innovation Park which aims to support the commercialisation of research emerging from the UK ICT cluster, including BT’s R&D facility at Adastral Park;

a review of activities and benefits to date and opportunities in the future for the Forss Business and Technology Park near Dounreay in Caithness for New Park Highland;